Internet Archive's in-browser video "theater" requires JavaScript to be enabled. It appears your browser does not have it turned on. Please see your browser settings for this feature.

play8?>>

Bharat Ek Khoj, Episode 46

by: Doordarshan

Publication date: 1988

Topics: Hind Swaraj, Nehru, Bharat Ek Khoj

Language: Hindi

Bharat Ek Khoj—The Discovery of India
A Production of Doordarshan, the Government of India’s Public Service Broadcaster
Episode 46: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
[⇐ Episode 45 : ⇧Contents⇧ : Episode 47⇒]

With Mohan Maharishi as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Mohini Sharma as Begum Syed Ahmed Khan, Ahmed Khan as Nawab Mehrnood, John Holyer as Mr. Shakespeare, Moraq Holyer as Mrs. Shakespeare, Shashi Sharma as Sir Syeds Mother, Dev Malhotra as Maulana Altai Hussain Hail, Irfan Khan as Samiullah, John Holyer as Lord Canning, and Munira Surti as Khala. The script is by Javed Siddiqi.

Nehru notes that after the 1857 Mutiny, the British government deliberately repressed the Indian Muslims to a greater extent than they did the Hindus, which especially affected those sections from which the new middle class might have emerged. British policy towards them underwent a change in the 1870’s and became more favourable. In this process, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan played a crucial role. He was anxious to make them accept English education and thus draw them out of their conservative shell.

The scene opens dramatically with the Nawab of Moradabad launching a revengeful attack at midnight on the local British collector and Sir Syed thwarting them, explaining the inevitability of the prevailing British Raj and wisdom in accepting the same. The brave effort is duly recognised by the authorities and Sir Syed, while declining a Jagir, is rewarded with a princely lump sum and a monthly pension. In his alignment for British help and cooperation, he repeatedly tries to prove that Muslims as a whole did not rebel during the 1857 Mutiny and that many indeed remained loyal to the British power.

To Lord Canning, the new Governor General, Sir Syed pleads for aid in creating a ‘scientific’ society for the Muslims. His efforts to open an English school for the community are stiffly resisted by the Muslims. With his concerted efforts, the Madarsa is finally established at Ghazipur where five languages are taught - Urdu, English, Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit. He resolves to publish a newspaper and introduce teaching of science since it is closely connected with nature. He also expresses a keenness to visit Europe, to study their progress and development.

Nehru observes, through an array of colourful period-paintings and letters, how Sir Syed was much impressed by the European civilisation. On his return the resolve to convert the Madarsa into a college is doubly strengthened and he collects donations personally. Rousing poems are heard on the theme of education for the deprived community. On behalf of the authorities, 74 acres of land, the munificence of Henry Lawrence, comes handy in realising Sir Syed’s dream of founding the Anglo-Muhammadn Oriental College in 1875, eventually to become University of Aligarh. One of the declared objects of the college was ‘to make the Mussalmans of India worthy and useful subjects of the British crown’, as quoted by Nehru.

There is the other momentous event of establishing the National Congress and request from its founding fathers like Sir Surendranath Banerjee and Badruddin Tayebji to Sir Syed for joining the same. As Nehru notes, while Sir Syed succeeded in beginning the English education among the Muslims and diverting the Muslim mind from the political movement, many prominent Muslims nonetheless joined the National Congress. British policy became progressively pro-Muslim, in favour of those elements among the moderate Muslims who were opposed to the National movement.

Notes

This item is part of a library of books, audio, video, and other materials from and about India is curated and maintained by Public Resource. The purpose of this library is to assist the students and the lifelong learners of India in their pursuit of an education so that they may better their status and their opportunities and to secure for themselves and for others justice, social, economic and political.

This library has been posted for non-commercial purposes and facilitates fair dealing usage of academic and research materials for private use including research, for criticism and review of the work or of other works and reproduction by teachers and students in the course of instruction. Many of these materials are either unavailable or inaccessible in libraries in India, especially in some of the poorer states and this collection seeks to fill a major gap that exists in access to knowledge.

For other collections we curate and more information, please visit the Bharat Ek Khoj page. Jai Gyan!

Credits

Uploaded by Public.Resource.Org
Based on Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, The Discovery of India
With Roshan Seth as Jawaharlal Nehru
Om Puri as the Narrator
Produced and Directed by Shyam Benegal
Chief Assistant Director was Mandeep Kakkar
Executive Producer Raj Plus
Script by Shama Zaldi and Sunil Shanbag
A production of Doordarshan